Seattle to offer free wedding trips for four LGBTQ couples

S Seattle will award four wedding trips to LGBTQ couples in a sweepstakes starting July 1. (Photo: VisitSeattle.org)

For LGBTQ couples who meet met that special someone over Pride weekend — or who already have but just haven’t set the date — Seattle’s tourism agency will be awarding four free wedding trips to LGBTQ couples in a sweepstakes that starts July 1.

Sponsored by Visit Seattle, the hosted trips include the opportunity to be married by Seattle’s first openly gay mayor, Ed Murray, along with air transportation provided by Alaska Airlines, a four-night stay at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, a wedding ceremony at Canlis restaurant, DJ and music, wedding photography, sparkling wine courtesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, beer from Hilliard’s Brewery & Taproom, and dessert from Trophy Cupcakes. Uber Seattle will offer transportation to and from the ceremony, which will accommodate an unspecified number of guests. Ceremonies will take place on the first Wednesday of the month from September through December, with Mayor Murray officiating the first wedding on Sept. 3.

“It’s an honor to be part of this campaign and I look forward to officiating at the ceremonies for the lucky couples who win wedding trips to Seattle,” said Murray. “I appreciate the work Visit Seattle is doing to bring more out-of-town LGBTQ visitors to Seattle and the new ‘Marry Me in Seattle’ campaign is a great example of that work.”

Any LGBTQ couple that resides outside of Washington State is eligible to win one of the four wedding trips; winning entries will be randomly chosen. More sweepstakes information will be available beginning July 1 (Tuesday) on the campaign web site, www.2DaysInSeattle.com/marryme, which will feature an essential Seattle LGBTQ marriage checklist that includes a link to Washington State’s marriage equality law (Referendum 74, approved by Washington voters in November 2012), information and links for marriage applications and licenses, and a list of LGBTQ officiants.

The web site will also feature a wedding resource guide that includes more than 30 Seattle romance packages, transportation, wedding music and DJs, florists, photographers, venues and catering companies. The site and resource list will be permanent and continuously updated, according to Visit Seattle.

“Seattle is a welcoming and progressive place to live and visit,” noted Ali Daniels, vice president of marketing for Visit Seattle. “What better way to celebrate the passage of Referendum 74 than to throw a party — or four — hosted by generous hospitality businesses throughout the city? The response that we’ve received from our partners is incredible. Everyone we’ve reached out to wants to find a way to be a part of this campaign.”